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Who are the most valuable free agents this summer?

Baron Davis? Elton Brand? Gilbert Arenas?

Try Corey Maggette and James Posey.

Yes. That Corey Maggette. The one the Clippers basically gave up on once Boom Dizzle opted out of his contract with the Warriors.

Maggette can sign anywhere he wants. If he wants to get paid, he'll end up in Philly, Memphis or Golden State. All three teams have tons of cap room.

Or, he can take less money and be a major piece for a playoff contender.

The Spurs are very much interested in acquiring Maggette, who cures one of the Spurs' Achilles heels: scoring. Maggette can play 2 guard and small forward, get his own shot and is one of the best in the league at getting to the free-throw line. San Antonio struggled mightily on offense last season and could use a big-time scorer.

Other playoff teams in need of Maggette's services are: Orlando, Boston, New Orleans, Utah and Cleveland.

The Hornets would love to plug Maggette in the 2 guard spot and have him run with Chris Paul and Co. The Jazz tried to sign Maggette a few years ago but the Clippers matched their offer.

Posey may not be an all-star but he should command star-like treatment in the coming weeks. He's one of the league's best role players and has championship pedigree. He won in 2006 with Miami and again with Boston last month.

The 6-8 former Xavier stud is not afraid to take the big shots, makes a lot of hustle plays and does not back down on defense. He is a hard-nosed player borde... [read more]

Today marks the first official day of the offseason. Free agency is wide open. Last night, Baron Davis and Etlon Brand both opted out of their contracs creating league-wide speculation (mostly westcoast interest, with a little bit of South Beach and brotherly love). 

The Lakers have two significant free agents in Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf. I will be starting with these two players and working my way through the entire Lakers roster giving them grades one their performances this year. 

The first entry is Sasha. 

There is that faction of people that will “diss” Sasha for getting “burned” by Ray Allen in game 4, the game that effectively sunk the Lakers championship hopes.

While he did get fooled by Jesus (“burned” is in quotes because Sasha played in-your-grill defense for 20 seconds, and then misjudged one juke. Let’s not forget, as I did before the Finals, Jesus Shuttlesworth, yeah, he got game.), it wasn’t that one play that cost the Lakers a championship.

Try…a lack of interior defense. An unwillingness from Lakers guards (yeah, that includes Kobe Bryant) and small forwards to even attempt to box out or go for rebounds. The inability for the team to collectively step up for more than a quarter or two offensively or defensively.

So, let’s forget that one play and focus on Sasha’s emergence as a crunch time performer. Once Mo Evans and Brian Cook were moved for Trevor Ariza, it was placed on Sasha’s shoulders to be Kobe’s primary backup. It&rs... [read more]

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The better team won. That's the truth.

Fueled by a Boston Garden crowd that has been starving for an NBA title for 22 years, the Boston Celtics slapped a good old fashioned 131-92 whipping on the Lakers in Game 6 and raised their 17th championship banner.

The 2008 Celtics have bridged the gap in their rich basketball history. From Hondo to Rondo. From DJ to Walter Ray. From Kevin McHale to Kevin Garnett. From Larry Legend to the The Truth.

As KG put it, "Top of the world, Ma! Top of the world!"

The Celtics recorded an NBA Finals record 18 steals in Game 6.....18 steals! That's unheard of in the playoffs yet alone in the Finals.

Ray Allen dropped a record seven 3-pointers and I don't think he had a hand in his face on any of those 3-point attempts. All wide-open shots.

And Kevin Garnett repeatedly thumped his chest like a class bully who is about to take your lunch money. He was pumping his fists and scowling even when the Celts were up by 39 points!

It just seemed like the Celtics were playing harder and harder when the lead kept getting bigger and bigger. The Lakers looked weary and beaten. The Celtics applied the submission hold early and not even Big John McCarthy could have saved the Lakers.

Throughout the series, the Celtics were allowed to get their hands on the Lakers and the L.A. dudes coward and folded like a tent. They were thrown off their game and simply could not sustain any kind of flow in the triangle offense.

Bu... [read more]

As Kobe and the gang put the finishing touches on their astounding 4-1 series victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, I began to wonder "Could Detroit or Boston really beat L.A.?"

Watching the Celtics wrap up their series against the Pistons in six made me realize: No. They can't. As much as I respect Boston's accomplishments this season, I can't help but think they're going to fall short in the finals. The reason?

The Lakers' role players. They're simply better than what Boston can offer. Compating top three to top three, Kobe beats Paul Pierce easily, Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett are comparable in how they contribute to their team (KG's got the edge on defense), and Lamar Odom versus Ray Allen is a win for Odom judging from recent performances. Allen's shot has been spotty in the playoffs. He had solid games five and six, but 3-10 and 2-8 nights won't get it done against the Lakers. Odom doesn't always have to put up points, he rebounds and assists well, and is a constant match-up problem off the dribble.

The rest of the Lakers almost handily beats the Celtics role players. Derek Fisher's more reliable than Rajon Rondo. Jordan Farmar gives you quality minutes off the bench, while Sam Cassel can't find the rim. Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton are worth loads more than James Posey and Eddie house. The only Celtic who wins out is Kendrick Perkins over Ronny Turiaf. However, that's a starter over a bench player. Starters should generally win out, becau... [read more]

http://lebasketbawl.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-love-rumors-8.html

The NBA All-Star weekend has wrapped up in New Orleans so it's time to get serious about the second half to the season and start thinking about the Playoffs. Any major rumors going down to start the home stretch? Let's find out!

David Stern calls the Sonics move "inevitable" and gets trashed for it from the city of Seattle. All I have to say is, "WAKE UP SEATTLE! If you would have forked over some of that city lovin' cash years ago, this wouldn't be happening!"Europe not ready for the NBA? The president of the Spanish Basketball Federation thinks there are still plenty of hurdles left to clear.
Ron Artest to the Cavaliers talk has started to heat up a bit. Added a mental psycho like that to this team cannot be exactly what LeBron meant when he said they need to "get better."The Lakers not done trading? The return of Caron Butler! No way.Steve Nash sticks up for Shawn Marion and reminds us all that Marion's unhappiness with the team was "greatly exaggerated." When Stevie speaks, I tend to believe him.Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle thinks this whole Chris Webber and Golden State thing is a joke. "If this team has any chance of making the playoffs, Chris Webber can't be part of the plans."J.J. Redick finally getting his wish! Maybe.Gilbert Arenas is still not a part of team USA, and he's actually "OK" with it. Not believing that Gil! We all know you need to keep that fire burning and this is just the thing.Kobe not all that happy about having to play in the All-Sta... [read more]

The 35-17 Lakers continued to roll with a blow-out of the T-Wolves Wednesday, with the line-up doing their jobs superbly.

What's becoming a bit more worrisome for the Lakers Finals quest than Bynum's knee rehab, Shaq rumbling for Phoenix, or whether Dallas can salvage the Jason Kidd trade debacle, however, is the diagnosis on Kobe's injured right pinky.

"Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has been diagnosed with a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament, an avulsion fracture, and a volar plate injury at the MCP joint of the small finger of this right hand, it was announced today. The damage occurred when Bryant dislocated the finger in the Lakers’ game at New Jersey on February 5, and was aggravated in last night’s game at Minnesota."

That's the injury update on nba.com. Kobe plans to postpone surgery till post-season (including Olympics), get some rest, and bow out of the 3-pt. shooting contest during the All-Star break, tho' he will play in that game.

Despite the Laker superstar's warrior spirit and mentality, having a whole half-season to go yet makes the injury troubling for all us loyal Lakers fans.

Let's all hope the Fickle Finger of Fate is a championship trophy, and not an injurious eff u to title triumph.

Stay tuned.... [read more] (2 comments)

On Sunday when the Lakers played the Heat there were three moments of note.

There was the foul in the second quarter where Kobe let Dwayne Wade know that basketball indeed is a physical game. The offense had broken down and Kobe was taking it to the hoop. As he made his move to get past Wade, he extended his right forearm and popped Wade square on the chin with his elbow. He was rightfully called for an offensive foul and Wade rubbed his chin and played it cool. But the message was clear. Kobe plays to win, plays hard and gives nothing up easy. Not now, and most likely never again. Sure, there were times over the course of the last couple seasons where the guys Kobe was guarding were allowed long stretches of easy buckets. Dude was too busy dropping 40 plus on some nights, and regardless of how effortless he makes it look, shooting the ball while being double and triple teamed is an exhausting process. Just ask Dwayne Wade.

Wade lost the Big Diesel (to injuries before the trade) and though I am sure the team will be much better with Marion’s MVP level of play, Wade will still face double and sometimes triple teams . That’s the beauty of a big. He makes the guard’s game so much easier—and vice-versa. Just look at how Kobe and Gasol are loving playing with each other. Last night their combined first half scoring: 12-14 field goals and 9 for 9 from the stripe.

Kobe’s got one big and he’s got another, younger one coming back in hopefully less than a month. Since being added to the squad, Gasol is shooting a blistering 66 ... [read more]

First of all, its not Paul Gasol.  If you made that mistake, don't feel too bad.  Just don't let it happen again.  It's Pau.  Although, Paul Gasol does have somewhat of a ring to it.  And suitably, a ring is what Pau Gasol is going to help lead the Lakers to. 

Gasol, the latest edition to the Los Angeles Lakers, was acquired by the Lakers in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies in early February.   In the trade the Lakers gave up Kwame Brown (sigh of relief), Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, two first round draft picks, and draft rights to Marc Gasol.  And yes, they are brothers.  In return from the Grizzlies, the Lakers received Pau Gasol and and a second round draft pick.  Wi a championship ring, who needs draft picks anyway.

Prior to the Gasol acquisition, the Lakers were ranked first in Western Conference.  The upcoming post season looked promising until the young center Andrew Bynum suffered a knee injury and was projected to be out for 8-10 weeks.  Then the Lakers made a move that "shook the league".  Pau Gasol played his first game in a Lakers uniform against the New Jersey Nets, scoring 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists.  This game was the second... [read more] (3 comments)

Lakers officials are not publicly saying it but trading for Pau Gasol signaled three things: 1) Kwame Brown was unable to shake off the public criticisms and desperately needed a new address, 2) Kobe Bryant finally got his wish and having an All-Star sidekick means he'll remain a Laker for life, and 3) Andrew Bynum's knee injury is a lot more serious than what the team is revealing.

When Bynum's kneecap popped out of place last January, I thought for sure the Lakers were dead in the water. Then, the injury report came out and it read that Bynum was expected to have a full recovery and should be ready by mid-March. Well, not so fast. L.A. Times columnist Kurt Streeter sat down with Bynum over the weekend and reported that there is still some swelling in the knee. Not good. The severity of the injury most likely played a key role in the Lakers going to Plan B and got the Gasol deal done ASAP.

The good news is, age is on Bynum's side and the swelling could go down in the next week or so. Once it does, the big man can start running again. The bad news is, will the kneecap stay in place? History shows that once the kneecap is dislodged the chances of having it slide out of place again is very high. Another concern is how Bynum will deal with this type of injury. Will he favor the knee? Will he become hesitant? I don't know. Some players can play through injuries and some can't. Time will tell which category Bynum falls in.

But the Lakers are moving on, with or without Bynum. They're 5-2 on their current nine-game road trip and have two a... [read more] (1 comment)

Am I the only soul on this planet (besides Steve Kerr) who thinks the Shaq deal is good for the Suns and bad news for the Lakers? My feelings went from "euphoria" when the Lakers got Pau Gasol to "grave concern" upon hearing the news that Shaq was back in the West.

Don't get me wrong here. I don't like the Suns. I think the whole organization has short-man's complex. They've always felt slighted and disrespected. Ever since they lost out on a coin flip that had Lew Alcindor's face on it, the Suns have played second fiddle to the Lakers, Spurs, Rockets, Jazz and Mavericks and it is killing them. Well, all that changed with The Diesel coming to the Valley of the Suns.

As a diehard Lakers fan, I am fearful that The Diesel will stand in the way of the Lakers' 15th NBA championship. He will make Amare play better. He will benefit from playing with the best point guard in the Association in Steve Nash. He will add toughness to a soft team. And, he will keep that lockerroom in stitches.

Basketball is an emotional game and it is hard to measure a person's level of motivation. Shaq is the NBA's classic sleeping giant. When he's asleep, which he has been since leading Miami to a title two years ago, he's bad. Like Oliver Miller bad. But, when motivated, Shaq is a beast. Even at 35, he can still be an effected player. Just think Kareem, Wilt and Russell in the last years of their Hall of Fame careers. All of them won titles despite having one foot in the old folks' home. Shaq does not have to... [read more] (1 comment)

Lakers give offers to Vujacic, Turiaf (AP)

The Los Angeles Lakers have given qualifying offers to restricted free agents Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf. General manager Mitch Kupchak announced the moves Monday. The Lakers, beaten by Boston in six games in the NBA finals, are expected to remain essentially intact for next season. Kupchak has said he hopes to keep Vujacic and Turiaf. [read full article]

Posted Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:03:44 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports

'Melo pleads to reduced DUI charge (AP)

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Posted Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:12:56 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports

Aaron McKie charged in attempted gun buy (AP)

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Posted Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:05:45 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports

Ariza exercises option to stay a Laker (AP)

Forward Trevor Ariza, acquired in a November trade with Orlando, has exercised his player contract option to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers. He appeared in 24 games for the Lakers before breaking a bone in his right foot on Jan. 20. He missed the rest of the regular season and 11 playoff games before returning for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. [read full article]

Posted Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:04:46 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports

Lakers believe future is bright (AP)

The healing process has begun for the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite their loss to the Boston Celtics in the NBA finals, which included a 39-point defeat in the decisive Game 6, the Lakers believe their future is bright. Lakers coach Phil Jackson and general manager Mitch Kupchak each said Friday afternoon that they believe the team can be a contender for the next five to six years. [read full article]

Posted Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:16:05 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports